PBS Forum

Hello everyone, 


I currently have a cluster of Cyrtanthus montanus producing several inflorescences and wanted to know if anyone else has a flowering plant or near flowering plant that would be interested in swapping pollen for seed production. 


The original bulbs came from a grower in Oregon sometime in 2015 (ebay, no other data) and have flowered several years since but seem to be self sterile as all pollination attempts have failed. I have searched for sometime but cannot seem to locate any additional clones or seeds from the species available and was hoping someone here might have a second clone to attempt pollination with. 


Also, if anyone might have a source for this species in the US I would be interested in obtaining any new material for future propagation efforts. 

-Edwin

I have Cyrtanthus montanus that came from Greg Pettit in South Africa.  There were 4 bulbs which have increased nicely over the years.  I think all 4 were the same clone, as they have all increased nicely from bulblets and are mutually infertile -- no seeds in many years.  This accession has my number JES #1328.

I can probably collect some pollen for you, but would need your name and postal address to send any to you.

Regards,
Jim Shields

Hello @Edwin,

Did you get pollen from another clone of Cyrtanthus montanus? Can you see seed set?
If not, why not try the microwave method. I managed to get seed set after 20 unsuccessful years in Hippeastrum evansiae and in Albuca clanwilliamigloria.
The instructions are here: https://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/Microwave
I hope this reply does not come too late, could not do it earlier.

Uli 

Hello Jim & Uli,

@jshields : I will get in contact about a pollen swap for next season as this years flowers all opened over the weekend (buds were much further that I realized) and the pollinators have already done their business leaving the flowers withering. I was able to save a small capsule with some pollen I can send out if your plants are not too far gone for the season.


@Uli : I have read on the microwave method from the list server and will attempt that next season as well with one of the flower heads just to experiment. This season things got away from me and this species was a little too fast to flower with our current heatwave.


-Edwin

Quote from: unhappykat on August 16, 2022, 08:33:17 PMAlso, if anyone might have a source for this species in the US I would be interested in obtaining any new material for future propagation efforts.

Quote from: jshields on August 20, 2022, 04:54:22 PMI have Cyrtanthus montanus that came from Greg Pettit in South Africa.  There were 4 bulbs which have increased nicely over the years.  I think all 4 were the same clone, as they have all increased nicely from bulblets and are mutually infertile -- no seeds in many years.  This accession has my number JES #1328.

Better late to this thread than never, I guess. Jim, I have Cyrtanthus montanus labeled "BX 156 2007 ex Shields ex Pettit" so thank you! I only grow a few Cyrtanthus but this one is my favorite. I self-pollinated one year and did get seeds, which germinated, but they've never set seed spontaneously. That was just an experiment, which I've never repeated because it makes plenty of offsets.

And speaking of offsets, Edwin if you'd like a couple shoot me a private message - I gave away a bunch of these earlier this year but I'm sure I missed a few.

Steve